It is a touchy subject for Newburgh Nextel Cup driver Ricky Craven at this particular time.

Craven, who announced last month that he was leaving PPI-Motorsports/Tide Chevy team after this season with two years left on his contract, doesn’t want to talk about his plans beyond this season.

“I’ve had discussions [with other teams] but I’m still a month away from talking about that,” said Craven Friday morning.

“It is important for me to continue to focus on this program. I’m 100 percent committed to finishing the year out the right way and all the team members know that. I want to finish what I started with Cal [PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells III]. It’s absolutely critical for me to run well in the next couple of months and for the team to finish strong,” said Craven.

He pointed out that he has raced with “a lot of these people for four years. I’ve gone to Victory Lane [twice] with them. It’s a fabulous group of people. There’s concern, speculation and uncertainty from their standpoint [about their futures] and I’m trying to help with all that. We may not be in the middle of a playoff run but there’s still a lot to race for.”

He knows his future is on the line.

“It is critical for me, personally, to run well as it relates to my future. I won’t allow myself to be distracted. We’ve got to give it everything we have. Opportunities will come from running well,” said Craven.

The latest speculation has Craven taking over Robby Gordon’s ride in the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Gordon is considering starting his own Nextel Cup team if he and Childress decide to part ways.

Childress has a three-car team with Kevin Harvick, Gordon and recent addition Jeff Burton, who left Roush Racing to hook up with Childress. Burton will debut for RCR this weekend at the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

He is replacing Dave Blaney, who took over for Johnny Sauter.

Scott Miller, Craven’s crew chief last season, has recently been named team manager for Harvick’s team.

It has been a difficult time for Craven and the PPI Motorsports/Tide team.

Over the last 29 races, they haven’t been able finish higher than 16th.

The team had three top-fives, including a win, in the first eight races in 2003.

Craven is currently 34th in points. That is last among the drivers who have run in all 22 races so far.

He will make his debut in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 18, the Sylvania 200.

“I spent a day testing a truck in Milwaukee [on Wednesday]. It was fun. I had never done it before,” said Craven who will drive the No. 47 Acxion Corp./Lee Ann Rimes Silverado.

He is also keeping tabs on his beloved Boston Red Sox and their pursuit of the wild card playoff berth in the American League.

“They’re starting to heat up. They haven’t put together a good run yet this year. When they win six, seven or eight in a row, I’ll be more convinced [they’re going to make the playoffs] than I am right now. I haven’t seen the muscle I saw last year. The camaraderie seems pretty good but the chemistry last year was exceptional,” said Craven.

PASS race moved to Sunday

The Auto Dealer Magazine 150 Pro All-Stars Series race, scheduled Saturday night at Hermon’s Speedway 95, has been switched to Sunday afternoon at 2 due to a rainy Saturday forecast.

Farmingdale’s Johnny Clark holds a 16-point lead over defending two-time titlist Ben Rowe of Turner in the championship chase.

Clark was pleased with the decision to push the race back “because it gave me a chance to see my sister’s [Angela] new baby, Ava Mary Corbin,” said Clark who has won four of the 10 races this season.

“I try not to think about the points. We’re having a great season so far,” said Clark.

Ben Rowe’s 2142 points are 100 more than his father, Mike. Bangor’s Gary Smith is fourth with 2038 and Denmark’s Travis Khiel is fifth (1954).

Time trials will begin at 1:10.

Seger teased about his name

Fifteen-year-old Bobby Seger Jr. of Frankfort, who races at Speedway 95 and Unity Raceway, may be too young to be familiar with the rock musician of the same name.

But he certainly knows who he is. He gets teased constantly.

“I hear it a lot,” grinned Seger Jr. “People always tell me to sing.”

Can he match the pipes of the rocker from Ann Arbor, Mich. who has had numerous hits including ‘Night Moves’, ‘Katmandu,’ ‘Against the Wind’ and ‘Like a Rock’?

“No, not really,” said the youngster.